High-tension switch



March 4, 1930. -r. F. JOHNSON. JR 1,749,537

HIGH TENSION SWITCH Filed 001". 4, 1926 j Patented Mar. 4, 1930TOMLINSON FORT J'OHNSON, JR-, ATLANTA, GEORGIA HIGH-TENSION SWITCHApplication filed October 4,1926. Serial No. 139,459.

This invention relates to a switch adapted for use in high tensiontransmission lines, and particularly 'to the contact jaws and means formounting the same. Among other objects, it aims to provide improvedselfali'gning spring pressed jaws capable of be ing'made and assembledvery cheaply and which maybe dismantled very easily for the I purpose ofcleaning thecontact faces.

The invention also embodies various other improved features ofconstruction and combinatio'ns ofelements, the purpose of which will bemore particularly explained in the following detailed description, inwhich ref- 'erenoe is made tothe accompanying drawing illustrating thesame.

" In the drawing:

' Figure 1 is a side elevation of a pair of spring jaws embodying'theinvention. a

Figure 2 is a view looking from the left ofFigure 1, and showing thejaws partly in end elevation and partly in section.

The structure to which the invention relates is mounted on a bracket 5,secured to and supported by a collar 6, which is adapted to be mountedon the usual insulator (not shown). A. socket 7, secured to the bracket5, is adapted toreceive and support the line wire.

' Thebracket 5 is connected by flexible con- -ductors 8 to therespectiveijaws 9, which are .adapted to receive the switch blade 10between them. Each of the jaws 9 is loosely mounted on a spring plate11,which is preferably made of heavy phosphor bronze. In the presentexample, the plates 11 are sub 'stantially channel-shaped, presentingshort flanges at the upper edges. Each plate 11 has at its lower end anoutwardly extending foot or lower flange 12, which fits in a channel13'formed in the bracket 5, and is formed at its ends with laterallyextending lugs 14;, engaging within slots or grooves cut in the edges ofthe bracket to limit the inward adjus'tmentof the plate. These flanges,after they are slid in their channels and the groove seats, are thusinterlocked with the base without any separate securing means. The twoplates 11 are thus mounted in the bracket :5, and/are. drawn inwardlyandsecured by a single bolt 15 in position to support the jaws k e Inorder to hold the jaws 9 against displacement laterally of the plates11, each jaw is formed with outwardly projecting ears 16 adapted toengage the side edges of the plate by which it is supported. The plateis also formed at its upper end with an outwardly turned flange 17, onwhich the upper part or shoulder of the jaw rests. The outer face ofeach jaw has a curved flange 18 extending downwardly and inwardlytherefrom, leaving sufi'icient space between the flange and the shoulderof the jaw, as indicated at 19, so that the jaw may have considerableplay vertically, as well as in a direction toward'and from the switchblade 10. The jaw, where it engages the inner face of the plate 11, isformed with a rounded knob 20, so that the jaw may rock in any directionabout the knob as a fulcrum, and thereby aline itself to make a fullcontact with the surface of the switch blade whenever the latter isclosed.

In the operation of the switch, the nut of the b0lt15 is adjusted todraw the plates 11 inwardly, so that the jaws willbe held tightlyagainst the switch blade. The jaws have 'suflicient play on the plates11 to make the jaws absolutely self-alining, so that they will make aclose fit against the blade. As a consequence, the grinding of thecontacting surfaces of the jaws does not require close machine work, andthey can be made quickly and cheaply. The jaws are held in assembledrelation by a single bolt, thus making it easy to take the same apartfor inspection and repair. The rounded knob 20 makes a onepoint contactbetween the jaw and the plate 11, thus leaving plenty of air space forcooling. The main part of the current passes through the conductors 8,and not through the plates 11. Whatever heat is taken by the springplates'll is mainly the result of radiation, rather than conduction. Theplates, therefore, will not'become heated sufliciently to take out theirtemper even when a considerable overload is carried.

While I- have shown and described in detail the preferred form of theinvention, it isto be understood that this is merely for the purpose ofillustration, and that various modifications may be made in the samewithout any material departure from the salient features of theinvention as defined in the claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a switch, the combinationof a pair of opposed spring plates, and apair of contact jaws loosely and wholly supported by the respectiveplates to permit limited up and down movement, ofthe jaws and adapted'toreceive a switch blade between them, each of said jaws having a roundedknob on its outer face engaging the inner face of its supporting plate,and constituting a fulcrum about which the'jaw may rock transverselyof'the plate to aline itself with the surface of the switch blade.

2. In a switch, the combination of a pair of opposed spring plates, apair of contact jaws loosely and wholly supported by the respectiveplates to permit limited up and down movement of the jaws and adapted toreceive a switch blade between them, each of said aws having aprotuberance on its outer face forming, a one-point contact with theinner face of its supporting plate, and flexible conductors connectingthe jaws with'the line so that a comparatively small portion of thecurrent will pass through the onepoint contacts, said aws being freelyremovable from the plates only when the plates are separated. a V

3. In a switch, the combination of .a pair of resilient members, meansfor supporting said resilient members .in spaced relation to each other,and a pair of jaws wholly supported by said members and. adapted toreceive a switch blade between them, each of said jaws having a knob onits outer face engaging the inner face of the respective resilientmember and constituting a fulcrum about which the jaw may rock to alineitself with the surface of the blade,xsaid 'jaws being movableupwardlywith respect to said members and having means to preventdisengagement from said members and to limit the upward movementthereof. w 4. In a switch, the combination ofia pair of resilientmembers, a base on which said members are supported in spaced relationto each other, and a pair of jaws wholly supportedby said members andadapted to receive :a switch blade between them, each of said jawshaving a knob on its outer face to form a one point contact with theinner face of the respective resilient member, and flexible conductorsconnecting the aws with the base so that acomparatively small portion ofthe current will passthrough the one-point contacts, said jawsinterlocking with said resilient members and having-provision to bemoved slidably therefrom with the switch lblade when itis opened.

5. In "-a switch, the combination ofa pair of opposed resilient members,a base having opposed channels in which the lower ends of 1 said membersare removably seated, means for drawing the upper portions of saidmemrock to aline itself with thesurface of the switch blade.

6. In a switch, the combination of a pair {of opposed resilient members,a basehaving alined channels in which the lower ends of 'lie saidmembers are removably seated, adjust.

able means for drawing the upper portions of said members inwardly, apair of contact jaws loosely supported by the respective members andadapted to receive switch blade between them, each ofsai-d jaws having aknob on its outer face to form a one-point contact with the inner faceof therespec'tive member, and flexible conductors connecting the jawswith the base so that a comparatively small portion of the current willpass through the one-point contacts.

7. In a switch, the combination ofa pair of opposed upright plateshaving their upper ends turned outwardly, a pair of jaws disposedbetween the plates and having shoulders abutting said outturned upperends and downwardly and inwardly curved flanges embracing the same, earsformed on the jaws and engaging the side edgesof the upright plates,each, of said jaws having a projection on its outer face engaging theinner face of the respective plate, and constituting a fulcrumaboutwhich the jaw may rock to aline itself with the surface of theswitch blade.

= 8. In a switch, the combination of a pair of opposed upright plateshaving their upper ends-turned outwardly, ap'air of jaws between theplates and having flanges projecting from their outer faces downwardlyand inwardly about the upper ends of the plates, and ears projectingfrom the jaws engaging the side edges of the respective plates, each ofsaid jaws having a knob on its outer face to forma one-pointconta'ctwith the inner face of the respective plate, and flexible 'conductorsconnecting the jaws with the line so that a comparatively small portionof the our- 1 rent will passthrough the one-point contacts. 9. Incombination with a switch .for high tension transmission lines, a pairof jaws; :up-

standing spring plates supportingthe jaws and d'etachably engageabletherewith; a base member having interlocking connection with saidupstanding springpl'ates; means for adjusting the tension of said springplates;

and means on the jaws engageable with the ingplates to permit rockingmovement iso of the jaws when the switch blade is engaged therewithwhereby to insure close contact of the jaws with the blade.

10. In combination with a switch of the character described, a bracketadapted to be "secured to an insulator; a base on the bracket havingchannels therein; extending through opposed edges thereof; a pair ofspring plates, each having a flange adapted to be seated in one of saidchannels; said base having slots in its edges on opposite sides of saidchannel and said flanges having extensions adapted to slide into and beseated therein whereby to provide an interlocking connection; switchjaws supported on and loosely connected to said spring plates; and meansto secure said plates in their seats and also to adjust the springtension.

11. In a knife switch of the character described, a supporting bracket;upstanding jaw supports mounted on the bracket; jaws mounted on saidsupports and presenting blade-engaging faces between the supports; meansproviding a loose interlocking connection between the jaws and supportsto permit limited free movement of the jaws with the blade when theswitch opens; said jaws also being free to rock transversely on saidsupports whereby to insure good electrical contact with the blade; andspaced, outwardly extending flanges on each jaw straddling therespective supports.

12. In a knife switch of the character described, substantiallyrectangular, spring jaw supporting plates; a pair of jaws looselymounted on and between said plates; and outwardly extending flanges onthe jaws co-operating with the plates to hold them assembled on theplates without any special securing means, said flanges permittingrocking and sliding movements of the jaws on the plates.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoing as my own, I have heretoaflixed my signature.

TOMLINSON FORT JOHNSON, JR.

